Principal
Molly Assig – Modern, Musical Theatre & Commercial. (DDI & DDE ISTD Ballet & Modern, AISTD)
Molly proudly became Principal of JBS Dance Studio in September 2025, taking on the honour of continuing the rich legacy founded by Jean Butterworth and most recently carried forward by Caroline Jenkins. Having taught at JBS for the past 15 years, Molly understands the heritage, standards, and “dance family” ethos at the heart of the school, and she is dedicated to leading it into an exciting new era.
Molly’s own dance journey began at the age of four at the ‘Jacqueline Storey Theatre School’ in Brighton. At the age of seven moved to ‘Dorris Issacs Shoreham School of Dancing’ and later attended the ‘Jean Butterworth School of Dancing’ (JBS Dance Studio) under the guidance of Caroline Jenkins and Rachel Kerridge. At sixteen, she successfully auditioned for Bird College, where she trained for three years, graduating with a Trinity College Diploma in Dance and Musical Performance and gaining her ISTD Ballet Associate.
Soon after, Molly began her professional career with her first contract in Portugal. This marked the start of 10 years performing in numerous productions both in the UK and abroad. Her career highlights include contracts in Italy, Greece, a second in Portugal, and Paris, where she performed at the world-famous cabaret Lido de Paris on the Champs-Élysées as a Bluebell Girl in Bonheur. Touring with Lido de Paris took her across the globe, performing in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, and New York.
Alongside stage work, Molly made television appearances in Dream Team and Mile High (Sky One) and Sugar Rush (Channel 4).
Molly has found great joy in teaching and choreographing. Her pupils have achieved success at the All England Finals, Dance World Cup, and the ISTD Janet Cram Awards, with Molly herself winning the All England Choreography Award in 2013-2015. She is also proud to have trained pupils who have gone on to study at prestigious schools including Laine Theatre Arts, Urdang, London Studio Centre, Elmhurst, Rambert, Central, Tring, and Ballet Theatre UK.
With deep respect for the past and big ambitions for the future, Molly is excited to guide JBS Dance Studio forward—nurturing young dancers, championing creativity, and ensuring the school continues to thrive for generations to come.
Classical Ballet
Caroline Jenkins – DIP. R.B.S T.T.C. ARAD. A.I.S.T.D. BENESH INT. RAD RTS.
Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.
Caroline Jenkins began her dance training in Worthing with Jean Butterworth, and then continued at the Bush Davis School and The Royal Ballet School, graduating from the Teachers’ Training Course in 1979.
After joining the Ballet Royal De Wallonie in Belgium, Caroline was promoted to Soloist Principal in 1985. The company toured extensively in Europe, Cuba and the Far East.
Caroline joined The Queensland Ballet Company in Australia in 1987 and whilst there taught at The Brisbane Dance School of Excellence and The Brisbane Dance Center.
After returning to London in 1991, she taught professional ballet open classes at Dance Attic and taught RAD at the Urdang Academy and Character at The Royal Ballet School before taking over The Jean Butterworth School of Dancing in Worthing.
Caroline also teaches Classical, Character, Free Movement and Repertoire at RAD Summer Schools and Easter Schools in the UK and internationally. Caroline aims to instil in her pupils a passion for dance whilst striving for excellence.
Caroline married former dancer Sean O’Brien, with whom she had three children.
Advanced Modern, Baby Ballet, Contemporary | Creative & Adult Ballet
Lucy Borthwick DDI, DDE, ARAD, BA (hons).
Lucy started her dancing career at JBS at the age of 4. She completed her RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern examinations both up to Advanced 2, where in 2015 she was awarded the ‘ARAD’ status from the Royal Academy of Dance.
Over the years she competed in many local and national festivals.
In 2010 Lucy performed with JBS representing Great Britain at the ‘Dance World Cup’ in Disney Land Paris, where they won a Bronze medal.
Lucy furthered her Contemporary studies at a Chichester College. Between 2012-2014 she undertook her Extended Diploma in Dance. Alongside this she studied for the first of her ISTD teaching qualifications (DDI). In 2015 Lucy completed her HNC in Contemporary Dance, alongside her second ISTD teaching qualification (DDE).
Throughout her college years Lucy was able to gain valuable experience with many Contemporary Dance companies and professional dancers such as, Siobhan Davies, Beyond Repair, Candoco, DV8, Lila Dance Company and Hofesh.
Lucy graduated from the University of Chichester in 2017 with a BA (hons) in Contemporary Dance. Lucy also qualified with a Diploma in Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP).
Alongside her dance teaching Lucy is a Youth Mental Health First Aider & Wellbeing Lead at a local sixth form college.
Lucy has been teaching at JBS for over ten years now and teaches Advanced 1&2 Modern, ISTD Contemporary, Creative movement, Baby & Adult Ballet. Known for fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, Lucy encourages teamwork, discipline, and self-expression through dance. She takes great pride in building a strong sense of community spirit within the studio, helping dancers feel connected, confident, and inspired both on and off the stage.
Tap
Bonnie Assig
Bonnie started dancing at the age of four at the ‘Jaqueline Storey Theatre School’. She continued classes at ‘Doris Issacs School of Dancing’ in Shoreham and later at the age of 7, went on to attend the ‘Jean Butterworth School of Dancing’, Worthing.
At sixteen, Bonnie gained a scholarship at ‘Bird College’ and graduated with a Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre.
After graduating, Bonnie successfully auditioned for and performed with Carnival Cruise Lines from 2009, until March 2020. Since then, Bonnie is delighted to be back at JBS teaching and inspiring children in their Tap classes.
Acro
Sadie Simmonds
Sadie began her early training at Glendale Theatre Arts School, where she competed from a young age both across the UK and internationally, representing her school at five Dance World Cups around the world. She then continued her training at Chichester College, where she gained her Diploma in Dance.
Over the past six years, Sadie has worked towards and achieved her teaching qualifications, gaining her ISTD DDE in Imperial Ballet, Modern Theatre, and Tap. Alongside teaching graded syllabus classes, she discovered a real passion for Acro, which led her to found Acro with Sadie, now successfully running for over two and a half years. In addition, she gained her Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) qualification last year.
Sadie has always known she wanted to pass her knowledge on to others, and finds great joy in teaching. She teaches students from walking age through to 18 years across all of the genres above, bringing energy, care, and enthusiasm to every class.
